Scottsdale Update - Oct. 25, 2018

Early voting under way in Scottsdale. Voters registered in Maricopa County can cast an early ballot through Friday, Nov. 2, for the Nov. 6 general election at Scottsdale's Indian Bend Wash Visitors Center, 4201 N Hayden Road. The center is open from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center also will be open for early voting those same hours Saturday, Oct. 27. The center will serve as an Emergency Voting location Saturday, Nov. 3, and Monday, Nov. 5; and as a "Vote Anywhere Site" from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day. The center is not a polling site, so it will serve as an additional Scottsdale voting location open to any registered voter in Maricopa County. To provide voters with an additional option, City Hall will serve as an early ballot drop off location from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Nov. 6.

Work begins this winter to repair high-profile Scottsdale bridges. Work begins this winter to repair Scottsdale's Drinkwater Boulevard underpass and the 68th Street bridge. The City Council recently approved emergency funding to repair the damaged infrastructure. Portions of both bridges were closed earlier this year due to structural concerns found during inspections. The money to pay for repairs will come primarily from deferring other planned projects and using savings from recently completed projects.

Scottsdale credit rating continues at the highest level. The city of Scottsdale's General Obligation debt is rated AAA according to three agencies, making the city one of just 30 in the United States to earn the distinction. A recently-completed credit analysis by Moody's Investor Service affirmed the rating. With that result in hand, the city has maintained the highest possible score from all three rating agencies (Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings) since 2001. Having the highest rated General Obligation debt means Scottsdale can borrow money at very low interest rates, saving taxpayers millions over the life of loans.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

The Scottsdale Water Campus, the first potable water reuse facility in Arizona and one of the most advanced water recycling plants in the world, recently marked 20 years of successful operation. Watch and learn how the facility laid the groundwork for future global water reuse projects.

EVENTS

Get your treats by the tracks at Railroad Park's Halloween Movie Night. Fun includes trick-or-treating, costume contests and a star-studded movie - Disney/Pixar's Coco, a vibrant tale of family, fun and adventure. Bring chairs and blankets. The free funtakes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and the historic Charros Carousel. Who knows - you might even find a few spooky surprises along the rails. Rides are $2 each with those 2 and younger riding free with a paying adult.

Have a frighteningly fun time at Scottsdale's Fall Festival. Join friends and family for a night of treats, fun and frights from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the south Eldorado Ballfield, 1909 N. Miller Road. Come for games, a haunted forest and costume contests, then stay until the end for fireworks.

Forget bobbing for apples; try dunkin' for a pumpkin. Pumpkins float! Join us from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at the heated McDowell Mountain Ranch pool. Pick a pumpkin then decorate it. Admission is $10 per person and includes admission and a pumpkin - while supplies last.

Join LORE Media & Arts for Scottsdale Dia de los Muertos family event, Nov. 2-4. Held at The Old Adobe Mission, this free community event will bring art, dance and culture to life through ancient Aztec ritual, art installations and Folklorico waltz demonstrations. The grand opening festival will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. Other activities take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4.

Scottsdale International Film Festival runs Nov. 2-11. This festival showcases a diverse mix of film genres from light-hearted comedies to period dramas, chosen from all corners of the world. Screenings take place at Harkins Theatres Shea 14.

Mark your calendars for Aviation Business Center grand opening. You are cleared for landing at Scottsdale Airport from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Celebrate the grand opening of the new Aviation Business Center, Volanti Restaurant & Bar, Thunderbird II Veteran's Memorial and the new Gemini Hangars. Enjoy family activities, aircraft displays and delicious refreshments. The event is free, but registration is required.

Enjoy the azcentral Wine & Food Experience, Nov. 3-4. A savory culinary explorationshowcasing the best food, wine, beer and spirits from local and national chefs and mixologists takes place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 3-4, at WestWorld. Don't miss the Martha Stewart Experience featuring her newest products and The Grateful House for interactive culinary experiences. You'll meet celebrity chefs and sample food from the Valley's hottest restaurants. This event is partially funded through Scottsdale bed tax dollars.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

City seeks public input on proposed update to teletracking ordinance. The public is invited to learn about and comment on proposed updates to the ordinance relating to the licensing and regulation of pari-mutuel wagering on telecast racing events. This type of wagering is also known as teletracking or off-track betting. The city is hosting an open house from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. The update will modernize and standardize definitions and descriptions. It also proposes to remove certain distance requirements from city parks and residential districts. However, it will continue to prohibit pari-mutuel wagering in areas zoned for residential use and maintain distance requirements from schools. The public can review the proposed ordinance and submit comments here if unable to attend the open house. The City Council will consider the proposed ordinance at a meeting Monday, Nov. 26, in the City Hall Kiva.

Nominations are open through Nov. 9 for 2019 Diversity Champions.Nominate a deserving individual who exemplifies the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and who has enriched the community by empowering others. Eligible nominees must live, work or volunteer in Scottsdale. The winners will be recognized at the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Scottsdale Water receives nation's top utility management award. Scottsdale Water recently was recognized by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies with the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award - the highest industry recognition conferred to municipal water agencies. The award acknowledges water utilities that have made a commitment to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in economic, social and environmental endeavors.

Scottsdale named top North American golf destination. The global trade organization for the golf tourism industry recently named Scottsdale the 2019 North American Golf Destination of the Year. Six hundred golf tour operators from more than 60 countries compose the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. For the award, each operator was asked to nominate the best performing golf destinations enjoyed by their clients. The operators considered a range of criteria, including customer satisfaction, the quality of courses and accommodations, and support from the local tourism industry. (IAGTO.com, Oct. 18)

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Want to help low income seniors and disabled adults? Please "Adopt a Senior." Every year the Via Linda and Granite Reef senior centers team up to help adopt about 350 low-income seniors and disabled adults. This year's program is gearing up, and Senior Services is once again relying on the generosity of our community to donate. All donors and/or donations are greatly appreciated and would truly benefit our seniors who otherwise may not receive anything during Thanksgiving or December holidays. Register here or contact Human Services Representative Ross Heyl at 480-312-5810.

There are a variety of city programs that assist residents during the holidays. The Scottsdale Shares provides one point of contact for residents, businesses and organizations seeking to assist those in need through donations or volunteer activities.

Get a head start on holiday shopping at Arts and Crafts Fair, Nov. 3. The Granite Reef Senior Center hosts this annual event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Choose items from more than 180 vendors selling original artwork and handmade crafts.

Google Translate Disclaimer

The City of Scottsdale website is providing the “Google Translate” option to assist you in reading the ScottsdaleAZ.gov website
in languages other than English. By selecting a language from the drop-down menu, you will translate the site into the
selected language using the
Google Translate online service, which is subject to applicable
Google policies and Terms of Service.

This translation service is made available on the City of Scottsdale website solely for your convenience, and its use is
solely at your option.

Use of this service is not intended to replace professional human translators.

No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, correctness, or reliability of any translations
made from English into any other language. The City of Scottsdale, its officers, employees, and/or agents shall not be
liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of, or in connection with, the use of such information, including
but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy of any such information, or damages incurred
from the viewing, distributing, or copying of such materials.

The official and original text is in English. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding
and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes.